Jakarta, IO – Panji Gumilang, the leader of the Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, was officially named a suspect in the alleged blasphemy case, Tuesday (1/8).
The determination of his status was carried out after hours of questioning by investigators from the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s (Bareskrim) Directorate of General Crimes, per CNNIndonesia, Wednesday (2/8
General Crimes director Brig. Gen. Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro explained that Panji Gumilang was charged with a number of articles, including Article 14 of Law 1/1946 on Criminal Law where he faces the prospect of 10 years in prison.
Investigators have examined 40 witnesses and 17 expert witnesses. Various supporting evidence ranging from the results of forensic laboratory tests to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa have also been obtained.
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The existence of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School has recently been in the spotlight since a video went viral showing the women and men mingling during prayer last April. This is not in accordance with Islamic teachings. As a result, his school is considered deviant.
Currently, the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes is also investigating allegations of money laundering and misuse of alms allegedly committed by Panji Gumilang. (un)